The candidate of the socialists and allies in the regional elections returns to the scene after last Sunday’s vote and his decision to withdraw from the second round to block Marion Marรฉchal Le Pen who, in a three-way race, would have been practically assured victory.
Noble sacrifice? Historical mistake? There is no need to dither over such trivial matters: as the Romans so aptly said, “cessante causa, cessat effectus.”
The page is turned, and the socialists, erased from the institutional regional political scene and condemned to silence for at least the next six years, might well face much darker times ahead:
“The decision I made on Sunday night was difficult. I understand those who regret the disappearance of the left in the regional opposition.
Ethics and exemplarity were at the heart of my campaign, and it is in the name of this ethics, this exemplarity, and responsibility that we must do everything to prevent the victory of the National Front.
There was no negotiation with the right-wing candidate. I did not wish to contact him before the list submission deadline.
In the event he is not elected president, I solemnly ask him to commit to leading the opposition within the Regional Council chamber. My withdrawal deprives us of being this opposition.
His displayed “resistance” obliges him to embody it tomorrow in front of Marion Marรฉchal Le Pen.
I expressly ask him to commit not to abandon his mandate as regional councilor.
Our voters can only be mobilized at this price. If not, they would feel betrayed.
For my part, I have taken my responsibilities and expect nothing less from Christian Estrosi, otherwise, he will have to bear the weight of his failure alone.”
Christophe Castaner (Head of the PS/PRG/MRC/UDE list)
